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I like a bit of jungle. Pangandaran was great, because the peninsula at the south end of town is a national park, and not many people go there at all. So it's easy to get to an unspoilt bit of jungle.
Getting in, you will be approached by various guides, but for the most part, you don't need guides. Just follow the paths. I found my way all around the peninsula in the month I stayed in Pangandaran - once I met a couple of guides at the entrance to the park intending to lead a couple of tourists to the waterfall, and the guides were adamant I'd be lost in no time. I met them at the waterfall a couple of hours later. That was fun.
I've never been keen on being guided - what's the point? Just go and explore, and find what you find. But then I met Masrudins, who runs the bookshop, and also works as a guide. Turns out he's not one of these types who would be happy to stand beside a cave hiring out torches and offering to point the torch for you at a stalactite. Masrudins is a real explorer! Despite my familiarity with the Park, Mas could always make suggestions for other paths to take, other things to notice that had slipped beneath my radar. When I complained to him about the lack of any decent maps of the area, Mas pulled out some sheaves of paper, and carefully unfolded them - geological survey maps from the late 80's - Mas had worked for the company for a while. These maps were amazingly detailed, and Mas was able to point out a lot of interesting places to go. He has even drawn his own map of the town, with fascinating attention to detail. He knows the whole area intimately, and spends his free time exploring for his own pleasure. As the son of a farmer, he knows the plants and animals of the area too, and has a keen interest in ecology.
So if you want to get off the beaten track and really get to know the place, I can really recommend having a word with Mas, just for advice and suggestions or to actually arrange a guided trip. I only wish I'd met him sooner on my visit to Pangandaran.
Written May 5, 2010
Address: Magic Mushroom Bookshop, Jalan Pasanggrahan
Phone: 0265 630305
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batu hiu [shark rock] and batu karas are rocky coastal zones of pangandaran. in batu hiu can be seen formation shark's nose look-alike overlooking indian ocean whilst in batu karas you can do surfing activity.
batu karas is less touristy compared to west and east coasts of pangandaran. and there are plenty of cheap accommodations.
both of these beaches are situated within 30 km perimeter from the main beach of pangandaran.
Written Aug 19, 2008
Address: batu hiu and batu karas, cikembulan
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cujang taneuh or more popular addressed as 'green canyon' is pangandaran's number one's attraction. it's a boating activity by green emerald river to a jungle look-alike and stop after 10 minutes sailing to hike into a gorgeous cave which is connected to the estuary.
it's an enchanting rocky wall surrounding a pond and just jump to have a nice swim. there's a 'bonus' for the panorama: a waterfall amongst the wall.
rent per boat is idr 75,000 when i was there
Updated Aug 19, 2008
Address: green canyon, pangandaran
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addressed as green canyon number two, it's a nice swim amongst the 'dam'. but it's not a man-made dam as usually can be found by the river. this is a natural dam. quite difficult along the way to citumang, but something rewarding once you find the place. again .. green emerald water is awaiting!
Written Aug 19, 2008
Address: citumang river
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the unique beach condition of pangandaran is ... there are two coasts [east and west] which is flanked by a road named 'jalan kidang pananjung'.
so, once you're set your foot to pangandaran, you can see sunrise and sunset in the place nearby within a day. this is a bonus for me, who doesn't pay so much time here!
Updated Aug 19, 2008
Address: pantai barat and pantai timur pangandaran
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in pangandaran peninsula, can be found a nature reserve with various plantation, caves and animals.
during my visits, can be seen:
- javan gibbons, macaques, phyton, barking deer, deer and hornbills [animals]
- stalagtites and stalagmites caves, several of them have direct alleys to the coasts. it's nice to see how the waves comes into the caves and showering the alleys with saltwater
- rafflesia, katulampa and several kinds of rainforest trees [plantation]
one of the favourite walks here is walking along the boundary trail
Written Aug 19, 2008
Address: pangandaran nature recreational park
Pantai Pangandaran (Pangandaran Beach) may be one of Java's finest beaches ... but you need to take great care when swimming especially at the East Beach. The Westerly Beach is regarded as better, but take care! Strong undertows can be dangerous even though a coral reef has reduced their impact. The snorkeling is here the best, the warnings are, too!
Secluded, tree-fringed beaches are to be found nearly all the way around the headland. Be aware the waves suddenly can take you by surprise when enjoying sun, beach and sea. See the dark area's on the pic. A sudden wave swept away the broad sand beach along the mainland.
So pay attention to the waves!!! In mind the destroying TSUNAMI of July 2006 ... peace for the lost souls.
Updated Jan 24, 2007
Address: Pangandaran Beach, East-side, Pangandaran
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In Pangandaran you can organise a guided day-trip with a small group that will take you to see many interesting sights in the nearby area. The most famous is the Green Canyon (Cukang Taneuh), where you will be taken through the canyon by boat until you reach a point where the boats cannot pass, then you can get out and climb over the rocks to swim in the river with the canyon walls towering above you.
On our tour we also visited the lovely bamboo bridge pictured here, as well as visiting the homes of locals who make a living from cottage industries such as making rope from coconut fibers or making 'wayang golek,' the wooden puppets that are so popular in Indonesia. The tour also included a stop at a beach where surfboards can be hired.
Written Apr 13, 2006
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Citumang Dam is a gorgeous place that makes a great daytrip from Pangandaran. Don't let the word 'dam' put you off; there is nothing man-made about the beautiful natural landscape here. What you will see is a turquoise river with a small waterfall that you can jump off; this is alot of fun, but do be careful as the current is strong. Near the waterfall is a cave that you can swim into which has tree roots hanging down from above.
Updated Apr 13, 2006
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The 530-ha "Cagar Alam Pananjung Pangandaran" (Nature Reserve Pangandaran) is South of the village of Pangandaran and takes up a whole 3-km peninsula. This favourite Pangandaran spot to travellers lies along the narrow isthmus of the peninsula with broad white sand beaches that sweep back along the mainland. At the PHPA office maps are available which shows all the different paths through the park, and which animals are where ...
An intriguing place, the park seems to have everything; stalactite and stalagmite, causes to crawl into caves, teak forests, shady banyan trees, grazing fields, myth-historical remains, seashore, abundant wildlife (watch the python), home of hundreds "long-tail Macaque", a beautiful sea-view out of the sweet water-place at the top ... at the brink of a towering volcanic cliff above the sea.
About 80% of Pangandaran National Park is secondary rainforest, and its most famous resident is the enormous Javanese Rafflesia flower. When lucky, you'll be thrilled to watch the extraordinary Rafflesia arnoldii/Patma, which grow up to one meter in diameter. She is the largest bloom in the world, although the one found at Pangandaran Peninsula is a bit smaller as her sister, growing in Sumatra. Watch your nose, because it stinks like "a gigantic rotten puffball mushroom" ...
Updated Aug 26, 2005
Address: Jl.Kidang Pananjung 266, Pangandaran
Website: http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/pa/0893v.htm
Reviews and photos of Pangandaran attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Pangandaran sightseeing.
The 530-ha "Cagar Alam Pananjung Pangandaran" (Nature Reserve Pangandaran) is South of the village of Pangandaran and takes up a whole 3-km peninsula. This...
5 members live in Pangandaran
Q: Wondered if we can get an updated info on Bus Budiman from Bekasi terminal to Pangandaran? What's the price and at what times...
A: Glad If u alredy visited Pangandaran Just info, so sorry if my info too late Bus Budiman will pick u to Pangandaran 4 times per day (2times in the morning & 2 times...
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a getaway in the independence day!
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Pangandaran, because of the TSUNAMI in July 2006 known by many more foreigners. The TSUNAMI that killed some hundreds of people ... we pray for the lost souls. Pangandaran is one of Java's finest...
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Cikembulan: Isolated beach near Pangandaran
Pangandaran is a low-key resort on the south coast of Java, and Cikembulan is 5km west of the resort. There is a well-known backpacker's guesthouse here called the Delta Gecko Village, which is right...
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